Academic Advising

The New Student Orientation & Transition team is here to support all new students and their families as they join and become active members of the UMass community. Students starting at UMass Amherst will engage in several focused components of the orientation & transition experience: Guide to the U, Ready for the U, Welcome to the U, and New Student Advising & Course Registration. 

About New Student Advising & Course Registration

Prior to your first semester, you will meet online with an academic advisor to review placement assessment results, discuss academic requirements, and register for your classes for the upcoming semester.  The New Student Orientation & Transitions staff works with advisors who will contact you at your UMass email address starting in June to arrange your first online New Student Advising & Course Registration appointment using the Navigate system.

Prerequisites for Advising & Course Registration Spring 2024

Students must complete Guide to the U, register for Ready for the U, and take their placement assessments to be eligible to schedule an online advising and course registration appointment. 

  • First-Year Students: register for Ready for the U, complete Guide to the U and placement assessments by January 1, 2024.
  • MassTransfer Students: register for Ready for the U, complete Guide to the U and placement assessments by January 1, 2024.
  • Transfer Students: register for Ready for the U, complete Guide to the U and placement assessments by January 1, 2024.

New Student Advising & Course Registration Dates

New Student Advising & Course Registration for Spring 2024 students takes place online in January. 

Appointments will take place online and availability will vary by admit type (first-year, transfer, or MassTransfer), college, and academic program. Please note: new students cannot register for Spring 2024 courses before January. 

About Advising in Future Semesters

For all future semesters you will need to make your own arrangements to meet with an advisor.  You can find more information about Academic Advising on the UMass Amherst homepage.